Chapter 5 - Pretending to be strangers

Arielle and Thomas had parted ways for the last time - saying goodbyes and thanking each other for making their vacation special.

During the time they had spent together, they had felt extremely comfortable with each other. Whether it was doing things they liked or talking about their past, dreams, fears, or taboos; while eating and drinking; or in bed - they seemed to be intensely compatible.

At the same time, they were very much like each other in that neither wanted to intrude upon another’s private space or was fantastical enough to assume something could be permanent between them.

They both felt they would be their most memorable dream, but just a dream and not reality, nonetheless.

After returning to their own life, neither had thought about the other.

**Two months later**

Arielle headed to the headquarters of Payne Group of Industries, PGI. She was poached by PGI rather handsomely.

Mr. Douglas, the HR manager, helped her complete the formalities and introduced her to everyone.

Finally, they arrived at the 49th floor of the building, which held the President's office, secretarial staff, and one of the largest conference rooms in the building.

Mr. Douglas led Arielle to a small meeting room where she was to meet the management staff of PGI before having a one-on-one conversation with the President himself.

“This is Mr. Andrew Knight, Vice-President of Payne Enterprises. He would be your point of contact as he is the only person who has the authority to provide you with all the credentials and the level of access you had requested, except for the President himself.” Mr. Douglas explained.

Quietly he whispered, “He is also friends with the President, so getting on his good side is not a bad idea.”

After the introductions were over, the President himself showed up.

He was supposed to be present for the meeting but was held back by a last-minute call. He joined them as soon as he could.

Just as the door opened, and the two people saw each other, they stiffened, wide-eyed.

But professionals as they were, they reverted to normal within half a second before anyone noticed anything.

Arielle had never thought she would see “Tom” again. They had had fun during the vacation and had not bothered to keep in touch. Seeing him in the company was a huge surprise.

But some pieces started to fit as she recalled the things he had said about himself.

Arielle pretended not to know him and greeted him composedly when Mr. Douglas introduced him.

Thomas had never in his wildest dreams imagined that there would be such a coincidence between them.

He recalled she had mentioned that she was celebrating bagging the biggest deal of her career. Seeing her in that conference room made him realize she was talking about his offer, which, he must admit, was quite generous.

Looking at the shock on her face, she was just as astonished as he was. But as usual, she had quickly put two and two together.

Thomas curled his lips at their strange fate together.

Fortunately, Thomas’s assistant, John Geller, ended their stiff introduction and awkward air.

John had been Thomas’s assistant since he started working right after college. He could sense his boss’s emotions accurately.

It was a piece of cake for him to see that Thomas was acquainted with Miss Arielle Ward and that her being there was a pleasant surprise, albeit unexpected.

He eased the atmosphere smoothly and led the conversation as they covered the key points on Arielle’s contract and her requests with other folks from management.

As per the contract, PGI was to cover Arielle’s accommodation and commute.

John had prepared a gorgeous three-bedroom apartment in the middle of the city center, hired a maid, and arranged for a private car with a chauffeur.

She refused the maid and chauffeur but accepted the car.

At the end of the meeting, Thomas asked Arielle to see him in his office.

“Miss Ward, let's head to my office. You will report everything directly to me, and John will help you with everything you need.”

Arielle was surprised at his words.

Even before Arielle knew Thomas was Tom, she had expected a private audience with him. The change in her point of contact was unexpected.

She, however, managed to shrug it off and reply with composure.

Andrew Knight raised his eyes at Thomas, but seeing nothing out of the ordinary, he stopped overthinking.

He knew how important Miss Ward was to the future of PGI and the astronomical sum she was poached. It made sense for Thomas to manage her personally.

However, instinctively he thought there was more between them as he could sense unusual chemistry.

Arielle stood in front of Thomas’s desk. John, thoughtfully, closed the door behind him after exchanging contact details with her.

“Are we going to continue pretending not to know each other?” Thomas asked.

“Not anymore, apparently,” Arielle said as she took the seat on the couch.

Thomas sat opposite her on the couch.

“So, you are the most expensive Financial Analyst in the industry, huh? I am not even surprised given how meticulous you are,” He complimented.

“Thank you! I can’t believe I bragged about being poached lucratively to you.” She clicked her tongue.

“Well, I am happy to see you nonetheless.” He smiled.

“Me too. Though I would have preferred different circumstances, preferably one where you are not my boss.” She quipped.

“Ah well, small details!” He shrugged.

“Let’s keep our entanglement private, please,” Arielle asked.

“Why?” Thomas was displeased at her wanting to pretend not to know each other.

“If the word gets out, I will get orchestrated for sleeping with the boss and accused of getting this job that way. I would rather focus my time and energy doing actual work and not trying to deal with gossip.” Arielle explained calmly without any hint of anger in her voice.

She could practically see herself hounded by everyone.

“I am sorry. I did not think of it like that. I will try my best not to make things difficult for you.” Thomas understood her point of view, and she was indeed right.

Competent people always have to be careful of being dragged down by gossip and public opinion used by incompetent people who could not compete with them, fair and square.